Britain in Palestine 1917-1948

Summary

This film outlines Britain's complex history in Palestine from 1917 to 1948, detailing the strategic interests that led to British control, the contradictory promises made to Arabs and Zionists, and the resulting tensions. It explores the Balfour Declaration's impact, the rise of Zionism, and the eventual establishment of Israel amidst conflict and displacement, setting the stage for ongoing Israeli-Palestinian disputes.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ Britain's control over Palestine from 1917 to 1948 had significant impacts on the region's history, yet it's not widely known among the British public.
• 🌍 The strategic importance of the Middle East to the British Empire was due to oil and the Suez Canal's control over the sea route to India.
• 🕊️ The end of WWI saw Britain and France promise self-determination to the former Ottoman subjects, but this was overshadowed by secret agreements.
• 📜 The conflicting promises included Sir Henry McMahon's promise of an independent Arab state and the Sykes-Picot agreement dividing the region between Britain and France.
• 🏠 The Balfour Declaration in 1917 promised to establish a 'national home for the Jewish people' in Palestine, which was a controversial commitment.
• 🤝 The Balfour Declaration was influenced by both religious beliefs in restoring the Jewish homeland and strategic considerations during WWI.
• 👥 The British government did not consult the Arab majority in Palestine about creating a Jewish homeland, leading to a sense of betrayal and conflict.
• 🗳️ The mandate period saw the Jewish community gaining economic and political influence, while the Arab majority felt marginalized and politically left behind.
• 🛑 The 1936-1939 Arab revolt against British rule and Jewish immigration was brutally suppressed, further escalating tensions.
• 📋 The British White Paper of 1939 proposed an independent Palestine governed by Arabs and Jews within 10 years, which was rejected by both sides.
• 🏳️ The end of the British Mandate in 1948 led to the establishment of Israel and the displacement of a large portion of the Palestinian population, marking the beginning of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Q & A

Why was Palestine strategically important to the British Empire during World War I?

Palestine was strategically important due to its oil resources and its position in relation to the Suez Canal, which controlled the sea route to India.

Who was General Allenby and what was his role in the British campaign in Palestine?

General Allenby was the British military commander who led his troops across Southern Palestine, capturing Jerusalem in December 1917, and by the following year, had brought all of Palestine under British control.

What were the 'contradictory promises' made by the Allies during World War I regarding the Ottoman Empire's territories?

The 'contradictory promises' refer to the conflicting plans and agreements made by the Allies, including the promises made by Sir Henry McMahon to the Arabs for an independent Arab state, the Sykes-Picot agreement dividing the region between Britain and France, and the Balfour Declaration supporting a Jewish national home in Palestine.

What was the Balfour Declaration and why was it significant?

The Balfour Declaration was a letter from British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour to Lord Rothschild, expressing support for the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine. It was significant because it laid the groundwork for the Zionist movement and future conflicts over the region.

How did the British government's handling of the Palestine issue affect the Arab and Jewish communities in the 1920s and 1930s?

The British government's handling led to increasing tensions and violence between the Arab and Jewish communities. The Arabs felt deceived and economically left behind, while the Jews made significant progress under the British mandate, leading to Arab dispossession and rebellions.

What was the Peel Commission's proposal in 1937 to address the deadlock between Arabs and Jews in Palestine?

The Peel Commission proposed the partition of Palestine into two states, one Jewish and one Arab. However, this proposal was vehemently opposed by Arab leaders and was eventually abandoned.

What was the British White Paper of 1939 and how did it differ from previous policies?

The British White Paper of 1939 abandoned the idea of partition and proposed that Palestine would become an independent state governed by Arabs and Jews within 10 years. It also imposed restrictions on Jewish immigration and land purchases, marking a shift in favor of Arab opinion due to the prospect of war.

How did the Jewish community respond to the British White Paper of 1939?

The Jewish community condemned the White Paper as an act of betrayal and a retreat from the Balfour Declaration, expressing fury over the restrictions on Jewish immigration during a time of increased persecution in Europe.

What was the outcome of Britain's decision to terminate its mandate for Palestine in 1948?

The termination of the British mandate led to an undeclared war for domination between Jews and Arabs. On May 14, 1948, Israel declared itself a state, leading to what is known as the War of Independence to some and the Nakba or 'Catastrophe' to others, resulting in a large number of Palestinian refugees.

What is the significance of the term 'nakba' in the context of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict?

The term 'nakba', meaning 'catastrophe' in Arabic, refers to the displacement of around 60 percent of the Palestinian population who became refugees during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, marking the beginning of the ongoing conflict.